Overview & Reviews

In business for more than 100 years, Audi is an automaker that builds luxury cars and SUVs. The company was started in Germany and has remained Deutschland-based to this day.

"Audi Automobile Works" entered the German car-manufacturing business in 1910 and remained independent until the Great Depression. Because Audi's founder, August Horch, had left a 10-year-old company bearing his own name, he chose a Latin form of his name -- Audi -- for his new company. Audi joined with three other auto manufacturers in 1932 to form Auto Union. Audi, the only surviving nameplate from that union, was purchased by Volkswagen in 1964.

During the 1970s, Audi started to get noticed in the U.S. with its 100LS luxury sedan and compact and sprightly Fox coupe and sedan. By the late '70s the brand had replaced the dated 100LS with its new 5000 luxury sedan.

Every manufacturer has its defining moments. For Audi, one such moment came in March 1980 at the Geneva Motor Show. The automaker unveiled the Audi Quattro, an all-wheel-drive sport coupe that was met with a wildly enthusiastic response on the show floor. The Quattro's all-wheel-drive system went on to help Audi win accolades in motorsports and it was eventually integrated into the entire model range.

That year also saw the Fox replaced by the 4000. Four years later, the range-topping 5000 was redesigned. Audi's sales shot up nearly 50 percent, thanks chiefly to that newly aerodynamic yet handsome flagship that featured what would become an Audi hallmark -- an elegantly stylish, high-quality cabin.

Sadly, Audi's fortunes turned for the worse when the carmaker's 5000 model was accused of unintended acceleration in a 60 Minutes television episode. A subsequent government investigation found Audi innocent of the charge, but the resulting drop in sales nearly put Audi out of business in the U.S.

The late '80s saw Audi redesign the 4000, renaming it the 80 and 90 (with the 90 having more equipment) and also rename the 5000, dubbing it the 100 or 200. The 200 featured a turbocharged five-cylinder with all-wheel drive as opposed to a non-turbo five and front-wheel drive, as on the 100. A Coupe also debuted, as did a new flagship, a V8-powered 200 sedan simply called the "V8".

The following decade saw the A4 and Cabriolet models, as well as the renaming of the 100 to A6. The stunning A8 was introduced as Audi's new flagship, boasting all-aluminum construction and a beefy V8. High-performance versions of the various models bowed, dubbed S4, S6 and S8.

The start of the new millennium brought the TT, Audi's low-slung sport coupe (and later roadster). It also introduced RS versions of the A4 and A6, providing even more performance than "S" variants. In addition to "S" and "RS" versions of the TT, Audi's more recent releases include the A3 hatchback, Q5 crossover SUV, slick A5 coupe, exotic R8 sports car and A7 luxury hatchback sedan.

Today, Audi continues its success in the prestige car marketplace by offering a wide range of vehicles that impressively combine luxury and sport.

User Reviews:

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  Loyality will now be spelled A-U-D-I - 1998 Audi A6
  By Audi Lover - April 4 - 2:00 am

  My experience with the A6 has been outstanding. No problems except for the know design flaw of the front end being too low. Other than than - great luxury at a great price. The engineering is top of the line.

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  TIME FOR AUDI - 2003 Audi TT
  By ROSEMIRO - April 4 - 2:00 am

  Since I bought my TT back in February 2002 I have had nothing but pure fun. Every time We are in the car we get lots of attention. People here in Hawaii still point whenever we pass by. Although I think it should have more horsepower, everything else about this car is just great. I feel like Ive been driving this car all my life.

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  Buyer Beware - 2003 Audi TT
  By ladriver - April 2 - 2:00 am

  This is a warning to all those considering this car. It is a horrible car with an extremely poor build- quality. The car looks great, both on the inside and outside. It is comfortable and is a fairly nice ride. However, the reliability and workmanship are so poor that I would never recommend it to anyone of my friends. My car was in the shop at least 16 times in 18 months. If you are considering this car, I would highly recommend that you look at other options. This is a very, very poorly built car. This is not just my opinion. I have several friends who also own this car and fully agree.

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  Best Car Ive Ever Owned - 2001 Audi A4
  By Glenn Zanotti - April 2 - 2:00 am

  My previous car was a Mercedes, and Ive owned about twenty other cars in my lifetime, and this is the best , so far. Im a designer, and love the clean design. With the Quattro AWD system, the car corners like it is on rails -- wet or dry. But the quality of materials and workmanship is what really sets this car apart from others -- and it was a lot less expensive than my Mercedes. I will buy another Audi.

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  Great car with few issues - 2008 Audi A6
  By chiranjeevi306@gmail.com - April 1 - 1:34 am

  Great muscle car with luxury.

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  2001 Audi A4 1.8 Turbo: My Supercar - 2001 Audi A4
  By BQ5409 - March 31 - 2:00 am

  This is the best looking Audi to come out of Ingolstadt. I still have a great looking and very reliable 85 Audi Coupe GT and so I decided on getting another Audi with the latest technology. The Xenon HID headlights are amazing in how well they light up the road ahead as well as to the sides. I get outstanding mileage on the highway (33mpg) yet the motor feels very strong and tight. The seats could offer a bit more thigh support and arent as plush as in my old Audi but its still a comfortable ride. The only problem I experienced was the drivers airbag warning light repeatedly coming on despite dealer resets. The fix was a new airbag installed for free .

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  Awesome - 2003 Audi A6
  By Dakota1269 - March 31 - 2:00 am

  We looked at a lot of station wagons and were blown away at how excellent this car is and how beautifully it drives. This is the best car we have ever owned and has made true Audi lovers of us. We recommend this car to anyone who wants a great driving car with great features.

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  awesome car - 2003 Audi A6
  By draliciac` - March 31 - 2:00 am

  Its a "smooth" tough ride. you can almost feel the tires hugging the road.Everything about the car is great . Well, the sunroof when is open makes a little draft noise

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  93 Audi 100 CS - 1993 Audi 100
  By Rowens - March 30 - 2:00 am

  This car presently has 223,000 miles and its interior looks almost new - new cracks in the leather, dash, etc. Its engine is strong and has had only normal service. The bodu is solid - no rattles or creaks. Its catalytic converter went out at about 190,000. A very well-built adn comfortable car

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  Nicest car Ive owned - 2000 Audi A6
  By layne - March 30 - 2:00 am

  cant beat the quattro, a great ride